| Aamir Khan's much-awaited next film will be his home production. For the yet-untitled film, which is still being kept under wraps, Khan will team up with good friend, Amole Gupte.
The film explores the relationship between a father and his son, who is suffering from dyslexia.
A painter and writer by profession, Gupte has been writing and developing the screenplay of the film for over seven years now. The film goes on the floors in a month. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed," says Amol, who shared screen space with Khan in Ketan Mehta's Holi (1984).
Cast undecided
The director lets on that his team is yet to finalise on the child actor. "Aamir plays the protective father. We're in the process of signing the rest of the cast. If all goes well, I shall start rolling in another 30-40 days," he says.
Unlike other debutant directors, plagiarism doesn't bother Gupte. "I'm quite confident that the treatment I will give to the subject, cannot be imitated." However, he refuses to divulge any further details about the film. "My script is ready and I'm presently figuring out the cast. And I'm not allowed to speak about the storyline."
Cinebuff
As for his experience, Gupte has assisted Ketan Mehta during Mirch Masala (1985). He claims to be a complete cine buff and has spent eight years writing out scripts for over 100 short films and conducting workshops at Film and Television Institute, Pune.
"I have conducted workshops along with Sayeed Mirza and Kundan Shah. And I have spent a consequent amount of time pursuing my creative instincts in the hallowed portals of the institute. I had my fair share of acting, too, with Aamir and Ashutosh Gowariker, while shooting for Holi."
Don't be surprised if this film bears the spirit of both, Mehta and Gowariker's films.
No resemblances
There's a tittle-tattle doing the rounds that Aamir Khan walks into the realm of confessional cinema with this film. Apparently, the film has autobiographical undertones and bears resemblance to Khan's 13-year-old son Junaid. However, Gupte rules out the possibility.
"This is completely baseless. Junaid has got nothing to do with the film. He's a bright kid who takes great interest in English literature.
In fact, the conversation that he can hold at this age overwhelms me. His vocabulary is excellent. I'm sure he'll grow up to become a fine writer."
Incidentally, this will be Aamir's second home production after Lagaan. |
| What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia refers to any reading and writing difficulty, which cannot be attributed to physical problems such as bad eyesight, poor hearing, low intelligence and behavioural disorders.
Problems can include difficulty with reading and writing, poor short-term memory for sequences and confused use of hands.
Dyslexia include the inability to name letters, to read words or sentences, or to recognise words directly even though they can be sounded out.
Dyslexia, as a condition, can vary between individuals from being very mild to severe. The condition is not restricted to an individual's childhood and can persist throughout one's life. | |
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